System for mounting solar modules

ABSTRACT

A system for mounting solar modules comprising a plurality of racks and clamps. Each rack has an inclined upper mounting surface to support one of the solar modules and an inclined lower mounting surface to support one of the other solar modules. Each upper mounting surface and lower mounting surface define a slot. One of the clamps slidably receivable by a slot of one of the upper mounting surfaces and configured to secure the one solar modules to the upper mounting surfaces and an other of the clamps slidably receivable by a slot of one of the lower mounting surfaces and configured to secure said one of the other solar modules to one of the lower mounting surfaces. Each rack has a tray having a first tower supporting the upper mounting surface and a second tower supporting the lower mounting surface.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplications Ser. Nos. 61/660,394 filed Jun. 15, 2012, and 61/666,507filed Jun. 29, 2012, the contents of which applications are hereinincorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates generally to a system for mounting solarmodules.

Solar module racks are used to mount solar modules onto different typesof roofs and grounds areas to form a photovoltaic array. Constructing orotherwise assembling the photovoltaic arrays is challenging for manydifferent reasons. The photovoltaic arrays are located in outsideenvironments and thus must be designed to withstand the outsideelements. The photovoltaic arrays must be designed to live long lives.Further, as in most any industry, reducing costs is important andtherefore the costs of the parts as well as ease of assembling areimportant in assembling photovoltaic arrays.

The present disclosure is directed to a system for mounting an array ofsolar modules comprising a plurality of racks and a plurality of clamps.Each rack has an inclined upper mounting surface adapted to support atleast one of the solar modules along an angle and an inclined lowermounting surface configured to support at least one of the other solarmodules along an angle. Each upper mounting surface and lower mountingsurface defines a slot. One of the clamps is slidably receivable by arespective slot of one of the upper mounting surfaces and configured tosecure said at least one of the solar modules to said one of the uppermounting surfaces. One of the other clamps is slidably receivable by arespective slot of one of the lower mounting surfaces and configured tosecure said at least one of the other solar modules to said one of thelower mounting surfaces.

Each rack may comprise a tray having a first tower supporting the uppermounting surface, a second tower supporting the lower mounting surfaceextending generally parallel to the first tower, and a baseinterconnecting the first tower and the second tower. The first andsecond towers extend generally perpendicular to the base and the uppermounting surface and lower mounting surface extend at an angle relativeto the base. The base may include a plurality of ribs extending betweenthe upper and lower mounting surface configured to elevate ballastplaced on the base and provide rigidity to the tray. The tray may have arounded peripheral edge.

Each of the clamps may include a mounting bracket and each of the firstand second towers may include a pair of lateral side walls definingopposed ends of the slot of each tower. The ends having a generallyT-shaped cross section to slidingly receive a pair of the respectivemounting brackets. Each of the upper and lower mounting surfaces mayinclude a spacer having a pair of opposed sides, each opposed side forabutting a respective solar module to align a pair of the solar modulesin a side-by-side manner on said each of the upper and lower mountingsurfaces. Each of the spacers may include two portions separated by arespective slot defined by each of the upper and lower mountingsurfaces.

The present disclosure is also directed to a method of assembling thearray of solar modules with a plurality of the solar modules, racks 14and clamps by engaging the solar modules and racks as described herein,installing the clamps on the racks as described herein, and clamping thesolar modules to the racks as described herein.

Features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in part inthe description which follows and the accompanying drawings describedbelow, wherein an embodiment of the disclosure is described and shown,and in part will become apparent upon examination of the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a photovoltaic array comprising aplurality of solar modules mounted to a low sloping roof by a solarracking system in accordance with an illustrated embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of one of the racks and a pair ofthe clamps of the solar racking system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of one of the racks of the solarracking system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective of one of the racks of the solar rackingsystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of one of the clamps of the solar rackingsystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an end plan view of one of the clamps of the solar rackingsystem of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a side plan view of one of the clamps of the solar rackingsystem of FIG. 1.

Other aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will becomeapparent upon consideration of the following detailed description,wherein similar structures have like or similar reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to a solar module system andcomponents of the solar module system. While the present disclosure maybe embodied in many different forms, several specific embodiments arediscussed herein with the understanding that the present disclosure isto be considered only as an exemplification of the principles of thedisclosure, and it is not intended to limit the disclosure to theembodiments illustrated.

FIG. 1 illustrates a photovoltaic array 10 comprising two rows of solarmodules 12 mounted to a low sloping roof or other roof or other surfaceby a solar racking system in accordance with an illustrated embodimentof the present disclosure. The illustrated solar racking systemgenerally includes a plurality of racks 14 and a plurality of clamps 16for securing the solar modules 12 to the racks. The photovoltaic array10 may comprise any number of rows and columns of solar modules 12 ormay have any other suitable configuration in accordance with otherembodiments of the present disclosure.

Each of the illustrated solar modules 12 has a rectangular constructionwith a pair of opposed long sides 12 a and a pair of opposed short sides12 b. The solar modules 12 may be of any suitable size and may have anyother suitable geometry in accordance with other embodiments of thepresent disclosure. The solar modules 12 may be of any suitableconstruction, including, for example, commercially available solarmodules and customized solar modules.

In the illustrated embodiment, each rack 14 includes a tray 20comprising a base 22 having a top side 24 and a bottom side 26, a firsttower 30 on the top side adjacent an end of the base, and a second tower32 on the top side adjacent the other end of the base. The first andsecond towers 30 and 32 extend substantially perpendicular to the base22. The base 22 includes a pair of ribs 34 to provide rigidity to base22 and tray 20 and unify towers 30 and 32 and also to elevate ballastplaced on the tray 20 above water that may collect on the tray 20. Theillustrated ribs 34 extend from the first tower 30 to the second tower32 and intersect and form an “X,” but may have any other suitableconstruction and configuration in accordance with other embodiments. Theperipheral edge 36 of the tray 20 is rounded to eliminate sharp edges toprevent damage to the roof or other structure on which the rack 14 isinstalled. Roof pads (not shown) or the like may be used below the tray20 to further protect the roof or other structure.

Tower 30 comprises an inclined mounting surface 44 for engaging cornerregions of a pair of the solar modules 12 to support the pair of solarmodules, and a front wall 46, a rear wall 48, and a pair of lateralwalls 50. Tower 30 is substantially hollow. Tower 30 includes a bottomside 58 of the mounting surface 44. The tower 30 also defines a slot 60extending across a width of the mounting surface 44 extending from onelateral wall 50 to the other lateral wall 50. The end of the slot 60 ateach lateral wall 50 has a cross section that is generally T-shaped inthat it includes a cross stroke portion 60 a and a stem portion 60 b.

The mounting surface 44 of tower 30 includes a spacer 62 extending fromthe front wall 46 towards the rear wall 48. In the illustratedembodiment, the spacer 62 comprises two portions 62 a and 62 b separatedby the slot 60. The spacer 62 is for engaging short sides 12 b of one orboth of a pair of the solar modules 12 to align one or both of the pairof the solar modules 12 on the mounting surface 44. The tower 30 alsoincludes a module stop 64 on the mounting surface 44 adjacent the rearwall 48 extending from one lateral wall 50 to the other lateral wall 50for engaging the long sides 12 a of a pair of the solar modules 12. Themodule stop 64 may be omitted, especially with larger solar modules 12.The tower 30 also includes strengthening panels 70, 72 and 74 on walls48 and 50 to add rigidity, and a strengthening panel 76 on the frontwall 46 that also defines a slot 78 to receive a wire. Inclusion of theslot 78 prevents wires from touching the roof or other structure andfrom contacting standing water or the like that may accumulate on thebase 22.

Tower 32 comprises an inclined mounting surface 84 for engaging cornerregions of a pair of the solar modules 12 to support the pair of solarmodules, and a front wall 86, a rear wall 88, and a pair of lateralwalls 90. The angle of incline relative to the base 22 of the mountingsurface 84 may be substantially the same as the angle of inclinerelative to the base of the mounting surface 44. Tower 32 issubstantially hollow. Tower 32 includes a bottom surface 98 of themounting surface 84. The tower 32 also defines a slot 100 extendingacross a width of the mounting surface 84 extending from one lateralwall 90 to the other lateral wall 90. The end of the slot 100 at eachlateral wall 90 has a cross section that is generally T-shaped in thatit includes a cross stroke portion 100 a and a stem portion 100 b.

The mounting surface 84 of tower 32 includes a spacer 102 extending fromthe rear wall 88 towards the front wall 86. In the illustratedembodiment, the spacer 102 comprises two portions 102 a and 102 bseparated by the slot 100. The spacer 102 is for engaging short sides 12b of a pair of the solar modules 12 to align a pair of the solar modules12 on the mounting surface 84. The tower 32 also includes a ledge 120 onthe mounting surface 84 adjacent the front wall 86 extending from onelateral wall 90 to the other lateral wall 90 to engage the long sides 12a of a pair of the solar modules 12. The ledge 120 provides a naturalstop for the solar module 12 during assembly and alignment of the solarmodule. The tower 32 also includes a strengthening panel 122 on each ofwalls 86, 88 and 90 to add rigidity. The rib 122 on front wall 86 mayalso function as a wind deflector. Each rack 14 may also include a winddeflector (not shown) associated with the rear wall 48 of the tower 30or otherwise associated with the rack.

Because the tower 30 extends higher than the tower 32 and thus mountingsurface 44 of tower 30 is disposed higher relative to the base 22 thanmounting surface 84 of tower 32, mounting surface 44 is the uppermounting surface of the racks 14 for supporting one or two solar modules12 and mounting surface 84 is the lower mounting surface of the racks 14for supporting one or two solar modules 12. With reference to FIG. 1,for example, two pairs of racks 14 can support the same solar module 12in a manner in which the solar module is supported by the mountingsurfaces 44 of one of the pair of racks and the mounting surfaces 84 ofthe other pair of racks 14. The mounting surfaces 84 of the other pairof racks 14 can be used to support another solar module 12 that are alsosupported by yet another pair of racks 14, and the mounting surfaces 44of such first pair of racks 14 can be used to also support another solarmodule 12 that are also supported by yet another pair of racks 14.Further, each of the towers 30 and 32 of the racks 14 can support twosolar modules 12 in a side-by-side manner. Because the mounting surfaces44 and 84 are inclined relative to the base 22, the towers 30 and 32support the solar modules at an angle.

The illustrated rack 14 includes one or more drainage holes 126 definedby the base 22 to allow water to drain from the tray 20, therebyeliminating or reducing any water weight on the rack 14 that may causedamage to the rack 14 or the structure to which the system is attached.A plurality of apertures 130 may be disposed in walls forming the towers30, 32. The apertures 130 accept clips that support a wire basket fornorth/south wire management or may be otherwise used for wiremanagement. A pair of bores 132 and a pair of channels 134 may bedefined at the bases of towers 30 and 32 and a plurality of drainageslots 136 may be defined on the base 22 for water drainage purposes.

The illustrated rack 14 also includes a raised center portion betweentowers 30 and 32 that also defines a circular bore 190 on the bottomside 26 of the rack and a central hole 192 for engaging a fastener. Theraised center portion can be used to engage rooftop or other structures,such as for example, U-anchor products and similar structure.

The racks 14 may have any other suitable design and configuration inaccordance with other embodiments of the present disclosure. The racks14 may be constructed of an Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate (ASA)plastic, which is durable and highly resistant to the sun. The racks 14may be constructed of any other suitable material in accordance withother embodiments of the present disclosure.

Each clamp 16 is configured to be slidingly received by one of the slots60 or 100 of the racks 14 and to releasably lock one of the solarmodules 12 to one of the racks 14 or a pair of the solar modules 12 in aside-by-side manner to one of the racks 14. Each of the illustratedclamps 16 includes a first clamp member 138, a second clamp member 140sandwiched thereto, and a clamp actuator. The first clamp member 138includes a bridge 142 and a pair of engaging members 144. The bridge 142interconnects the engaging members 144 at the top ends of the engagingmembers. The engaging members 144 are wider than the bridge 142. The topend of each engaging member 144 includes a pair of flanges 146 extendingoutwardly away from the other engaging member 144. The flanges 146 oneach engaging member 144 define a gap 148 adjacent the bridge 142 sizedto align with spacers 62 and 102 of a respective rack 14 duringinstallation of the clamp 16 on the solar rack 14 as hereinafterdescribed. Flanges 146 function as top down clamps to clamp the shortsides 12 b of a pair of adjacent solar modules 12, and retain the pairof adjacent solar modules 12. Each of the flanges 146 may include aplurality of small spikes 150 on a lower surface 152 of the flanges 146to create a positive ground between the solar modules 12. Theillustrated spikes 150 are formed by punching holes in the flanges 146causing spikes to form on the lower surface 152 around the punches. Thebridge 140 and the engaging members 144 define a bore 160 for receivingthe second clamp member 140.

The second clamp member 140 includes a pair of arms 162 and a connectingmember 164 interconnecting top ends of the arms. Each of the arms 162has a mounting bracket 166 at the bottom of the arms configured to bereceived in either of the ends of either of the slots 60 or 100 of oneof the racks 14 and to engage a bottom surface 58 or 98 of the rack 14.Each arm 162 also includes a first portion 170 extending from theconnecting member 164 having a width substantially the same as the widthof the connecting member, but slightly less than the width of the bridge142 of first clamp member 138, and a second portion 172 interconnectingthe first portion 170 and the mounting bracket 166. The second portion172 has a width less than the width of the first portion 170. The lengthof each of the mounting brackets 166 is greater than the width of thegaps 148 to provide added clamping surface area. The mounting brackets166 may be omitted or may be interchangeable with other engagingstructure in accordance with other embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

The first and second clamp members 138 and 140 are interconnected by aclamp actuator that may be in any suitable form configured to move thefirst and second clamp members between an engaged position anddisengaged position. The clamp actuator is biased toward the disengagedposition for ease of engagement of the clamp 16 and the one or two solarmodules 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the clamp actuator is in theform of a threaded fastener 180 received in a hole 182 defined by thebridge 142 and a hole 184 defined by the connecting member 164, and aspring 186 disposed about the fastener 180 between the bridge 142 andthe connecting member 164. The illustrated hole 184 is formed by athreaded punch or threaded cut. The spring 186 biases the fastener 180toward the disengaged position for ease of installation of the clamp 16.The clamp actuator also includes a ring 188.

Rotation of the fastener 180 in one direction causes the second clampmember 140 to travel further into the bore 160 to the engaged positioncausing the mounting brackets 166 to travel towards the bottom side 58or 98 of the engaging surface 44 or 84. When the clamp 16 is beinginstalled, such movement causes the mounting brackets 166 to engage thebottom side 58 or 98 of the engaging surface 44 or 84, and causesflanges 144 to engage and clamp to the engaging surface 44 or 84 a solarmodule 12 disposed therebetween on either or both sides of the clamp 16and to lock it in place relative to the rack 14. Rotation of thefastener 180 in the other direction causes the second clamp member 140to move in an opposite direction relative to the first clamp member 138to release the one or two solar modules 12 and to release the clamp 16so that it can slide along the slot 60 or 100 of the rack 14.

The clamp 16 may have any other suitable design and configuration inaccordance with other embodiments of the present disclosure. Similarly,each of the first clamp member 138, second clamp member 140 and clampactuator may have any other suitable design and configuration inaccordance with other embodiments of the present disclosure.Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the clamp 16 is shown foruse in securing solar modules 12 to racks 14, but, in accordance withother embodiments of the present disclosure, the clamp 16 may be used tosecure any other types of components to any other types of structure.

The photovoltaic array 10 in accordance with an illustrated embodimentof the present disclosure may be assembled by positioning a plurality ofracks 14 on the roof or other structure. Two racks 14 may be positionedalong the short sides 12 b of each pair of adjacent solar modules 12near the ends of the adjacent long sides 12 a of the two solar modules.Similarly, as for the solar modules 12 at the ends of the rows in thearray 10, two racks 14 may be positioned along the other short side 12 bof the solar module 12 near the ends of the long side 12 of the solarmodule. The solar modules 12 may then be placed on the racks 14 suchthat each solar module 12 is supported by a pair of mounting surfaces 44of two racks 14 and a pair of mounting surfaces 84 of two other racks14.

The solar modules 12 are positioned in engagement with the spacers 62and 102 on each of the mounting surfaces 44 and 84. Each pair ofmounting surfaces 44 may support another solar module 12 and each pairof mounting surfaces 84 may support another solar module 12. The spacers62 and 102 provide ease of alignment of the solar modules 12 on thetowers 30 and 32. The module stop 64 of the tower 30 and the ledge 120of the tower 32 also provide ease of alignment of the solar modules 12on the racks 14.

Clamps 16 are then installed on the racks 14 to engage the solar modules12 and to secure the solar modules to the racks. This may be achieved bysecuring each clamp 16 one at a time with a corresponding first orsecond mounting tower 30 or 32 of one of the racks 14 in the followingmanner. The clamp 16 is engaged with one of the racks by inserting themounting brackets 166 and second portion 172 of the clamp into the endsof one of the slots 60 or 100. The clamp 16 is then slidingly receivedinto the slot 60 or 100 and is then slid into place over the spacer 62or 102. The fastener 180 is rotated to engage the short sides 12 b ofone solar module 12 to secure one of the solar modules 12 to the rack14, or to engage two adjacent solar modules 12 and to secure the pair ofthe solar modules to the rack in a side-by-side manner. In thisposition, flanges 146 are engaged with a solar module 12 on one or bothsides of the bridge 142, and mounting brackets 166 are engaged with thebottom side 58 or 98 of the mounting surface 44 or 84. Thereafter, orcontemporaneously, an other clamp 16 is secured to one of the othertowers 30 or 32 of the racks 14 in a similar manner. Each solar module12 is secured to four racks 14 and an additional solar module may besecured to each of those four racks by the same clamp 16 on each of thefour racks. The assembly of the photovoltaic array 10 may also be stagedso that it is assembled first and thereafter positioned on the roof orother surface.

Accordingly, each upper mounting surface 44 of each pair of racks 14 isconfigured to support a pair of solar modules 12 that are also supportedby and extend from lower mounting surfaces 64 of another pair of racks.The system 10 can be used to support rows and/or columns of solarmodules 12. By way of example, six of said racks may be use to supporttwo solar modules 12 and eight of clamps 16 can be used to releasablysecure the two solar modules to the racks in a side-by-side manner. Byway of further example, nine of the racks 14 may be use to support atleast two substantially parallel rows of two solar modules 12, andtwelve of the clamps 16 can be used to releasably secure the solarmodules to the racks.

The system in accordance with an illustrated embodiment of the presentdisclosure provides many benefits. It is easy to install and may beinstalled with a single tool, thus saving time and energy duringinstallation. The racks 14 and clamps 16 are relatively inexpensivecompared to other technologies. Additionally, each clamp is one piecewhich provides for ease of assembly. The system also enables theclamping to occur along short sides 12 b of solar modules. By attachingthe racks 14 to the solar modules 12 along the short sides 12 b (ratherthan the long sides 12 a), adjacent solar modules 12 share a connection.It also provides an integrated grounding between solar modules and alsoentire grounding through an array of solar modules. This integratedgrounding provides a positive ground throughout the system 10, therebymaking it unnecessary to install a separate grounding wire and lugs intothe solar module array and providing a large savings in copper wire,ground lugs, and installation time. The clamp 16, as described above,can easily click into place within the slot of the rack 14. This mayreduce the number of racks 14 and connections, thereby reducinginstallation time and costs. The design of the rack 14 also provides forstackability of multiple racks 14. This reduces the shipping andhandling costs, allowing large quantities of racks to be shipped at thesame time.

The present disclosure is also directed to a method of assembling thearray of solar modules with a plurality of solar modules 12, racks 14and clamps 16 by engaging the solar modules 12 and racks 14 in anysuitable manner described above, installing the clamps 16 on the racks14 in any suitable manner described above, and clamping the solarmodules 12 to the racks in any suitable manner described above. Forexample, the method may include (a) placing a first of the solar modules12 on inclined upper mounting surfaces 44 of a pair of first racks 14and on inclined lower mounting surfaces 84 of a pair of second racks 14;(b) engaging a first clamp 16 with the upper mounting surface of one ofthe first racks by inserting a mounting bracket of the first clampwithin the slot defined by the upper mounting surface of the one firstrack, sliding the first clamp along the slot defined by the uppermounting surface of the one first rack and clamping the first solarmodule to the one first rack; (c) engaging a second clamp 16 with theupper mounting surface of the other first rack by inserting a mountingbracket of the second clamp within the a slot defined by the uppermounting surface of the other first rack, sliding the second clamp alongthe slot defined by the upper mounting surface of the other first rackand clamping the first solar module to the other first rack; (d)engaging a third clamp 16 with the lower mounting surface of one of thesecond racks by inserting a mounting bracket of the third clamp withinthe slot defined by the lower mounting surface of one of the secondrack, sliding the third clamp along the slot defined by the lowermounting surface of the one second rack and clamping the first solarmodule to the one second rack; and (e) engaging a fourth clamp 16 withthe lower mounting surface of the other second rack by inserting amounting bracket of the fourth clamp within the slot defined by thelower mounting surface of the other second rack, sliding the fourthclamp along the slot defined by the lower mounting surface of the othersecond rack and clamping the first solar module to the other secondrack.

The method may further include placing a second of the solar modules 12on the upper mounting surface 44 of the one first rack 14, on the lowermounting surface 84 of the one second rack 14, on an inclined uppermounting surface 84 of a third rack 14 and on a lower mounting surfaceof a fourth rack 14; clamping the second solar module to the uppermounting surface of the one first rack with the first clamp during (b);clamping the second solar module to the lower mounting surface of theone second rack with the third clamp during (d); engaging a fifth clamp16 with the upper mounting surface of the third rack by inserting amounting bracket of the fifth clamp within the slot defined by the uppermounting surface of the third rack, sliding the fifth clamp along theslot defined by the upper mounting surface of the third rack andclamping the second solar module to the third rack; and engaging a sixthclamp 16 with the lower mounting surface of the fourth rack by insertinga mounting bracket of the sixth clamp within the slot defined by thelower mounting surface of the fourth rack, sliding the sixth clamp alongthe slot defined by the lower mounting surface of the fourth rack, andclamping the second solar module to the fourth rack.

While embodiments have been illustrated and described in the drawingsand foregoing description, such illustrations and descriptions areconsidered to be exemplary and not restrictive in character, it beingunderstood that only illustrative embodiments have been shown anddescribed and that all changes and modifications that come within thespirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected. The descriptionand figures are intended as illustrations of embodiments of thedisclosure, and are not intended to be construed as having or implyinglimitation of the disclosure to those embodiments. There are a pluralityof advantages of the present disclosure arising from various featuresset forth in the description. It will be noted that alternativeembodiments of the disclosure may not include all of the featuresdescribed yet still benefit from at least some of the advantages of suchfeatures. Those of ordinary skill in the art may readily devise theirown implementations of the disclosure and associated methods, withoutundue experimentation, that incorporate one or more of the features ofthe disclosure and fall within the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure and the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system for mounting an array of rows of solar modules comprising: a plurality of racks, each rack having an inclined upper mounting surface adapted to support on a roof or other surface at least one of the solar modules along an angle relative to the roof or other surface and an inclined lower mounting surface configured to support at least one of the other solar modules of one row along an angle relative to the roof or other surface and one other solar module of another row, each upper mounting surface and each lower mounting surface defining a slot, each rack being spaced from all of the other racks; and a plurality of clamps, one of the clamps slidably receivable by a respective slot of one of the upper mounting surfaces and configured to secure said at least one of the solar modules to said one of the upper mounting surfaces and another of the clamps slidably receivable by a respective slot of one of the lower mounting surfaces and configured to secure said at least one of the other solar modules to said one of the lower mounting surfaces such that said at least one of the solar modules and said at least one of the other solar modules are disposed in adjacent rows of the array; wherein each of the upper mounting surface and lower mounting surface has a front side, a rear side and a pair of lateral sides, the slot of the upper mounting surface extends from one of the lateral sides of the upper mounting surface to the other of the lateral sides of the upper mounting surface and the slot of the lower mounting surface extends from one of the lateral sides of the lower mounting surface to the other of the lateral sides of the lower mounting surface.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein each rack comprises a tray having a first tower supporting the upper mounting surface, a second tower supporting the lower mounting surface extending generally parallel to the first tower, and a base interconnecting the first tower and the second tower.
 3. The system of claim 2 wherein the first and second towers extend generally perpendicular to the base and the upper mounting surface and lower mounting surface extend at an angle relative to the base.
 4. The system of claim 2 wherein the base includes a plurality of ribs extending between the upper and lower mounting surface configured to elevate ballast placed on the base and to provide rigidity to the tray.
 5. The system of claim 2 wherein at least one of the first tower and second tower includes at least one wall having a panel to increase rigidity of said one of the first tower and second tower.
 6. The system of claim 2 wherein each of the first tower and second tower includes at least one wall having a panel to increase rigidity of a respective first tower and second tower.
 7. The system of claim 2 wherein the first tower includes a wall including a panel defining a slot to receivingly engage a wire.
 8. The system of claim 2 wherein the tray has a rounded peripheral edge.
 9. The system of claim 2 wherein each clamp includes flanges extending in opposite directions for engaging a pair of adjacent solar modules.
 10. The system of claim 2 wherein each clamp includes a first clamp member, a second clamp member and a clamp actuator configured to move the second clamp member between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the clamp being secured to one of the first tower and second tower when the second clamp is received by the slot of said one of the first tower and second tower and moved to the engaged position.
 11. The system of claim 10 wherein the first tower includes a bottom side of the upper mounting surface and the second tower includes a bottom side of the lower mounting surface, the first clamp member including flanges extending in opposite directions for engaging a pair of adjacent solar modules and the second clamp member including a pair of mounting brackets for engaging the bottom surface of said one of the first tower and second tower when the second clamp member is moved to the engaged position.
 12. The system of claim 2 wherein the first tower includes a bottom side of the upper mounting surface and each of the clamps includes a pair of mounting brackets, the first tower includes a pair of lateral side walls defining opposed ends of the slot of the first tower, the ends having a generally T-shaped cross section to slidingly receive the mounting brackets, the mounting brackets configured to engage the bottom side of the upper mounting surface to secure the clamp to the first tower.
 13. The system of claim 2 wherein each of the second towers includes a bottom side of the lower mounting surface and each of the clamps includes a pair of mounting brackets, the second tower includes a pair of lateral side walls defining opposed ends of the slot of the second tower, the ends having a generally T-shaped cross section to slidingly receive the mounting brackets, the mounting brackets configured to engage the bottom side of the lower mounting surface to secure the clamp to the second tower.
 14. The system of claim 1 wherein each of the upper and lower mounting surfaces includes a spacer having a pair of opposed sides, each opposed side for abutting a respective solar module to align a pair of the solar modules in a side-by-side manner on said each of the upper and lower mounting surfaces.
 15. The system of claim 14 wherein each of the spacers includes two portions separated by a respective slot defined by each of the upper and lower mounting surfaces.
 16. The system of claim 1 wherein each rack defines a plurality of holes for draining water from the rack.
 17. The system of claim 1 wherein the upper mounting surface of each rack is configured to support one of the solar modules supported by the lower mounting surface of another rack.
 18. The system of claim 1 wherein the upper mounting surface of each rack is configured to support a pair of the solar modules supported by the lower mounting surface of another rack.
 19. The system of claim 1 wherein there are six of said racks adapted to support two of said solar modules and eight of said clamps configured to secure said two solar modules to said six racks.
 20. The system of claim 1 wherein there are nine of said racks adapted to support two rows of two solar modules, and twelve of said clamps configured to secure said solar modules to said nine racks.
 21. A system for mounting an array of rows of solar modules comprising: a plurality of racks, each rack having a first tower and a second tower, the first tower including an inclined upper mounting surface adapted to support on a roof or other surface at least one of the solar modules of one row along an angle relative to the roof or other surface, the second tower including an inclined lower mounting surface configured to support at least one of the other solar modules of another row along an angle, each upper mounting surface and lower mounting surface defining a slot each rack being spaced from all of the other racks; and a plurality of clamps, one of the clamps slidably receivable by a respective slot of one of the upper mounting surfaces and configured to secure a pair of the solar modules to said one of the upper mounting surfaces and an other of the clamps slidably receivable by a respective slot of one of the lower mounting surfaces and configured to secure an other pair of the other solar modules to said one of the lower mounting surfaces such that said at least one of the solar modules and said at least one of the other solar modules are disposed in adjacent rows of the array; wherein each of the upper mounting surface and lower mounting surface has a front side, a rear side and a pair of lateral sides, the slot of the upper mounting surface extends from one of the lateral sides of the upper mounting surface to the other of the lateral sides of the upper mounting surface and the slot of the lower mounting surface extends from one of the lateral sides of the lower mounting surface to the other of the lateral sides of the lower mounting surface.
 22. The system of claim 21 wherein each of the upper and lower mounting surfaces includes a spacer having a pair of opposed sides, each opposed side for abutting a respective solar module to align the pair of the solar modules in a side-by-side manner on said upper mounting surface and aligning the other pair of solar modules in a side-by-side manner on the lower mounting surface.
 23. The system of claim 22 wherein each of the spacers includes two portions separated by a respective slot defined by each of the upper and lower mounting surfaces.
 24. The system of claim 1 wherein each of the upper and lower mounting surfaces includes a spacer having a pair of opposed sides, each opposed side extending generally perpendicular to a respective slot, each opposed side for abutting a respective solar module to align a pair of the solar modules in a side-by-side manner on said each of the upper and lower mounting surfaces.
 25. The system of claim 24 wherein each of the spacers includes two portions separated by the respective slot defined by each of the upper and lower mounting surfaces. 